Networking in a social network

0001This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/029,910, filed Jul. 28, 2014, and entitled “Dynamic User Interface.”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field

0002The present disclosure relates generally to an improved computer system, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for facilitating networking. Still more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for facilitating networking in a social network.

2. Background

0003Social networks provide a platform for people to build networks. These networks may include people who share interests, activities, backgrounds, work, or real life connections. The social networks may be used for personal or business reasons. A social network used for business reasons is a professional network. These social networks include information about people located on computers on a network such as the Internet.

0004A professional network provides people with a way to perform networking, share ideas, find resources for projects, find jobs, hire people, obtain information, and other suitable activities. A professional network may be within an organization or may extend broadly across the Internet.

0005People may form connections to other people in a number of different ways. For example, a person may form connections with other people that the person already knows. As another example, a person may search the social network for people and establish connections based on who they find. For example, a person may search for people who work at the same company or have similar work interests. The search also may include finding other people based on colleges attended, education, experience, skills, locations, business goals, and other factors.

0006For example, when a person looks for a new connection, that person may review profile pages of people returned in searches to determine whether to request a connection. Other people may also review the profiles of the person requesting a connection in determining whether to accept a request for a connection.

0007The profile page may be generated by a person entering information. For example, the person creating a profile page enters information such as work history, schools attended, degrees received, skills, interests, and other information about the person.

0008The profile page, however, may be incomplete. For example, a position at a prior company, an interest in a sport, involvement in charity, or some other information may be missing from the profile page. As result, reviewing the profile page does not show this information about a person for purposes of deciding whether to request a connection, send a message, or perform some other action to establish contacts in a social network.

0009Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that take into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues. For example, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus that overcome the technical problem of insufficient information in a profile of a person in a social network reducing the ability to establish contacts in the social network.

SUMMARY

0010An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for facilitating networking in a social network. A computer system identifies a group of features in an image for a person in the social network. The computer system further identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features. The computer system still further identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic. The computer system performs an action enabling networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

0011Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer system. The computer system comprises a network facilitator that identifies a group of features in an image for a person in a social network. The network facilitator further identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features. The network facilitator still further identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic. The network facilitator performs an action enabling networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

0012Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product for facilitating networking. The computer program product comprises a computer readable storage media, and first program code, second program code, third program code, and fourth program code stored on the computer readable storage media. The first program code identifies a group of features in an image for a person in a social network. The second program code identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features. The third program code identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic. The fourth program code performs an action enabling networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

0013The features and functions can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0014The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and features thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an illustration of a block diagram of a social networking environment in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is an illustration of a block diagram of a network facilitator in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an illustration of an image in the form of a profile picture in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an illustration of an image in the form of a profile picture in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an illustration of an image in the form of a background picture in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an illustration of an image in the form of a background picture in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for facilitating networking in a social network in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for identifying features in an image in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for identifying characteristics from features in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for identifying characteristics from features in accordance with an illustrative embodiment; and

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is an illustration of a block diagram of a data processing system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0026The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account one or more different considerations. For example, the illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that currently used mechanisms for suggesting connections rely on information in the profile page. The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that when information useful for identifying networking opportunities is missing from the profile page, the ability to establish contacts in a social network is reduced.

0027The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that information about a person may be obtained from other sources other than textual information entered by a person to create a profile page. For example, a person may upload images. The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that images may provide additional information about the person not found in the text information on the profile page. However, these images are not always looked at when searching for information in the social network.

0028The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that the image may be processed to identify information about the person that may be used for establishing contacts. Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for facilitating network connections. In one illustrative example, a computer system identifies a group of features in an image for a person in a social network. The computer system identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features. The computer system identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic. The computer system performs an action enabling networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

0029With reference to the figures, and in particular, with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, an illustration of a block diagram of a social networking environment is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this example, social network environment <b>100</b> is an environment in which social network <b>102</b> has profile pages <b>104</b> for people <b>106</b>.

0030People <b>106</b> establish connections <b>108</b> in social network <b>102</b>. In one illustrative example, people <b>106</b> may be part of organization <b>110</b>. Organization <b>110</b> may take various forms. For example, organization <b>110</b> may be a company, a charity, a government entity, an educational group, a social group, a team, or some other suitable organization.

0031Social network <b>102</b> may be used by people <b>106</b> within organization <b>110</b> to perform operations <b>112</b>. For example, operations <b>112</b> may include at least one of networking, setting up teams, assigning tasks, creating departments, generating business plans, generating organizational charts, obtaining information, or other operations that may be performed by people <b>106</b> in organization <b>110</b>.

0032As used herein, the phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items and number of items may be used from the list but not all of the items in the list are required. The item may be a particular object, thing, or a category.

0033For example, without limitation, “at least one of item A, item B, or item C” may include item A, item A and item B, or item B. This example also may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C. Of course, any combinations of these items may be present. In some illustrative examples, “at least one of” may be, for example, without limitation, two of item A; one of item B; and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or other suitable combinations.

0034For example, person <b>114</b> in people <b>106</b> may view profile pages <b>104</b> to identify people <b>106</b> with which they want to establish connections. Person <b>114</b> may view profile pages <b>104</b> to obtain information about people <b>106</b>. For example, person <b>114</b> may read text in profile pages <b>104</b> to obtain information about people <b>106</b>. This information may be used to perform operations <b>112</b>. Additionally, person <b>114</b> may establish connections <b>108</b> to form a network for performing operations <b>112</b>.

0035For example, profile pages <b>104</b> may not include information <b>116</b> that may be used for establishing connections <b>108</b> between people <b>106</b>. In one illustrative example, information <b>116</b> may be absent from profile page <b>118</b> in profile pages <b>104</b> because profile page <b>118</b> is incomplete. In another illustrative example, the design or structure of profile page <b>118</b> may not allow for information <b>116</b> to be included even though information <b>116</b> may be useful in establishing connections <b>108</b>.

0036In this illustrative example, network facilitator <b>120</b> helps facilitate networking <b>122</b> between people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b>. Network facilitator <b>120</b> may be implemented in computer system <b>123</b>.

0037For example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may help in establishing connections <b>108</b> between people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b>. As another example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may also help people <b>106</b> meet each other in person as well as through social network <b>102</b>.

0038In operation, network facilitator <b>120</b> identifies a group of features <b>124</b> in image <b>126</b> for person <b>114</b> in social network <b>102</b>. As depicted, image <b>126</b> is selected from one of a profile picture, a background picture, or some other suitable type of image.

0039Image <b>126</b> may be a photograph, a computer-generated picture, or some other type of image. In this illustrative example, the group of features <b>124</b> is selected from at least one of a person, a face of a person, a car, a stadium, a building, an animal, a piece of equipment, a piece of apparel, a piece of furniture, an aircraft, a tree, a mountain, a spacecraft, a planet, an object, a symbol, a logo, or some other feature that may present in image <b>126</b>.

0040In this illustrative example, network facilitator <b>120</b> also identifies characteristic <b>128</b> for networking <b>122</b> from the group of features <b>124</b>. As used herein, a “group of,” when used with reference to items, means one or more items. For example, a group of features <b>124</b> is one or more features <b>124</b>.

0041In the illustrative example, a single feature in the group of features <b>124</b> may be used to identify characteristic <b>128</b>. In another illustrative example, two or more features in the group of features <b>124</b> may be used to identify characteristic <b>128</b>. In other words, a one-to-one correspondence between features and characteristics may not be present.

0042In this illustrative example, characteristic <b>128</b> is any information about person <b>114</b> that may be used for networking <b>122</b>. For example, characteristic <b>128</b> may be selected from one of a prior job, a prior position, a current position, a current job, a current company, a prior company, a hobby, a favorite sports team, a skill, a college attended, a degree obtained, an interest, books read, or some other suitable characteristic about person <b>114</b>.

0043Network facilitator <b>120</b> identifies a set of people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b> having characteristic <b>128</b>. Network facilitator <b>120</b> performs action <b>130</b>, enabling networking <b>122</b> in social network <b>102</b> with respect to person <b>114</b> and set of people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b> having characteristic <b>128</b>. In this manner, network facilitator <b>120</b> may identify a set of people <b>106</b> having interests, backgrounds, common experiences, or other characteristics that may prompt a desire for networking <b>122</b>.

0044Also, a “set of,” when used with reference to items, means zero or more items. In other words, the set of items may be a novel set in some cases in which nothing is present in the set. For example, the set of people <b>106</b> may be zero or more of people <b>106</b>.

0045This identification may be performed with more than one characteristic. For example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may identify a number of characteristics <b>132</b> in addition to characteristic <b>128</b> in characteristics <b>132</b>. As used herein, “a number of,” when used with reference to items, means one or more items. Characteristic <b>128</b> and the number of characteristics <b>132</b> are a plurality of characteristics <b>132</b> in this illustrative example.

0046In this illustrative example, the identifying of the set of people <b>106</b> having characteristic <b>128</b> may comprise identifying the set of people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b> having the plurality of characteristics <b>132</b>. In this example, action <b>130</b> is performed for the set of people <b>106</b> having the plurality of characteristics <b>132</b> matching those of person <b>114</b>.

0047As depicted, action <b>130</b> may take various forms. For example, action <b>130</b> may include sending a suggestion to the set of people <b>106</b> to establish a connection with person <b>114</b>. In another illustrative example, action <b>130</b> may include selecting a team based on person <b>114</b> and the set of people <b>106</b>. In still another illustrative example, action <b>130</b> may involve sending a message to the set of people <b>106</b> indicating that person <b>114</b> is in social network <b>102</b> and has characteristic <b>128</b> or a plurality of characteristics <b>132</b> in common with the set of people <b>106</b>.

0048Network facilitator <b>120</b> may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When software is used, the operations performed by network facilitator <b>120</b> may be implemented in program code configured to run on hardware, such as a processor unit. When firmware is used, the operations performed by network facilitator <b>120</b> may be implemented in program code and data and stored in persistent memory to run on a processor unit. When hardware is employed, the hardware may include circuits that operate to perform the operations in network facilitator <b>120</b>.

0049In the illustrative examples, the hardware may take the form of a circuit system, an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some other suitable type of hardware configured to perform a number of operations. With a programmable logic device, the device may be configured to perform the number of operations. The device may be reconfigured at a later time or may be permanently configured to perform the number of operations. Programmable logic devices include, for example, a programmable logic array, programmable array logic, a field programmable logic array, a field programmable gate array, and other suitable hardware devices. Additionally, the processes may be implemented in organic components integrated with inorganic components and may be comprised entirely of organic components excluding a human being. For example, the processes may be implemented as circuits in organic semiconductors.

0050Computer system <b>123</b> is a hardware system that includes one or more data processing systems. When more than one data processing system is present, those data processing systems may be in communication with each other using a communications medium. The communications medium may be a network. The data processing systems may be selected from at least one of a computer, a server computer, a tablet, or some other suitable data processing system.

0051As a result, computer system <b>123</b> operates as a special purpose computer system in which network facilitator <b>120</b> in computer system <b>123</b> enables identifying information <b>116</b> that may be used to perform networking <b>122</b> within social network <b>102</b>. For example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may operate to identify information <b>116</b>, and perform action <b>130</b> that allows for connections <b>108</b> to be made between person <b>114</b> and a set of people <b>106</b>. In particular, network facilitator <b>120</b> transforms computer system <b>123</b> into a special purpose computer system as compared to currently available general computer systems that do not have network facilitator <b>120</b>.

0052With network facilitator <b>120</b>, networking <b>122</b> may occur more efficiently between people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b>. In the illustrative example, network facilitator <b>120</b> identifies information <b>116</b> about person <b>114</b> or others in people <b>106</b> that may not be easily identified or found in profile pages <b>104</b>.

0053For example, information <b>116</b> may include information in images. The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that people <b>106</b> searching for information <b>116</b> may perform text searches. Information <b>116</b> in images do not show up in these types of searches.

0054Network facilitator <b>120</b> performs action <b>130</b> in a manner that solves the technical problem of insufficient information in a profile of a person in a social network reducing the ability to establish contacts in the social network. As described above, the insufficient information may be information <b>116</b> that is absent from profile pages <b>104</b>. In particular, information <b>116</b> may be text describing people <b>106</b>.

0055Thus, network facilitator <b>120</b> in computer system <b>123</b> provides a technical solution to the technical problem with insufficient information being present in profile pages <b>104</b> in social network <b>102</b>. In this manner, the technical solution has a technical effect of enabling networking in social network <b>102</b> with respect to person <b>114</b> and the set of people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b> having characteristic <b>128</b>.

0056In the illustrative example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may be especially useful for networking <b>122</b> for people <b>106</b> in organization <b>110</b>. For example, if person <b>114</b> is new to organization <b>110</b>, identifying a set of people <b>106</b> having characteristic <b>128</b> in common with person <b>114</b> may be used to provide opportunities for networking <b>122</b>. In this manner, person <b>114</b> may integrate more quickly into organization <b>110</b>.

0057Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, an illustration of a block diagram of a network facilitator is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, components that may be used to implement network facilitator <b>120</b> are shown.

0058Network facilitator <b>120</b> may include a number of different components. For example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may include feature identifier <b>200</b>, characteristic identifier <b>202</b>, and match identifier <b>204</b>.

0059In the illustrative example, feature identifier <b>200</b> receives image <b>126</b> for processing. As depicted, feature identifier <b>200</b> identifies the group of features <b>124</b> in image <b>126</b>.

0060Feature identifier <b>200</b> includes object recognition system <b>206</b>. As depicted, object recognition system <b>206</b> includes one or more object recognition processes that are selected to identify the group of features <b>124</b> in image <b>126</b>. These processes may include object recognition algorithms that rely on matching, learning, pattern recognition, or other suitable techniques.

0061In the illustrative example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> identifies characteristic <b>128</b> from the group of features <b>124</b> identified in image <b>126</b>. As depicted, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may implement processes that identify characteristics about person <b>114</b> based on the group of features <b>124</b>. In this particular example, image <b>126</b> is an image obtained from person <b>114</b>.

0062In one illustrative example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> includes artificial intelligence system <b>208</b> that is designed to identify characteristic <b>128</b> from the group of features <b>124</b>. Artificial intelligence system <b>208</b> may be implemented using at least one of an expert system, a Bayesian network, a neural network, or other types of artificial intelligence architecture or processes.

0063In this illustrative example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may use policy <b>210</b> in place of or in addition to artificial intelligence system <b>208</b>. Policy <b>210</b> is a group of rules and may also include data for identifying characteristic <b>128</b> from the group of features <b>124</b> identified in image <b>126</b>.

0064For example, policy <b>210</b> may include rules on identifying colleges, sports teams, companies, charities, and other organizations. These rules in policy <b>210</b> specify what trademarks or logos are associated with particular organizations. For example, policy <b>210</b> may be applied to a feature such as a logo on a shirt worn by person <b>114</b> in image <b>126</b>. The identification of a particular organization may form characteristic <b>128</b>.

0065For example, person <b>114</b> may wear a cap in image <b>126</b> with a symbol of a mascot for a college attended by person <b>114</b>. The symbol may be used to identify the college attended by person <b>114</b>.

0066As another example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may use policy <b>210</b> to identify a prior company at which person <b>114</b> worked at in the past. For example, person <b>114</b> may wear a shirt in image <b>126</b> with a logo for Company X.

0067Additionally, policy <b>210</b> may also be used to identify the organizations based on objects that may be associated with the organizations. For example, a particular company may be identified through a building in image <b>126</b> that is the headquarters for the company. In another example, a college may be identified from a building on the campus of the college found in image <b>126</b>.

0068In one illustrative example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> generates hypothesis <b>212</b> for characteristic <b>128</b> as part of identifying characteristic <b>128</b>. Hypothesis <b>212</b> is a theory or probability that characteristic <b>128</b> is correctly identified.

0069With hypothesis <b>212</b>, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may verify hypothesis <b>212</b> for characteristic <b>128</b>. This verification may be performed by accessing source <b>214</b>. Source <b>214</b> may be selected from at least one of a database, a social network, an alumni database, a college database, a team roster, an online directory, a website, a person, or some other suitable source.

0070For example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> forms hypothesis <b>212</b> that person <b>114</b> attended College X. Characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may then verify that person <b>114</b> attended College X. For example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may access source <b>214</b> in the form of an alumni or college database to determine whether person <b>114</b> attended College X after identifying College X as being a potential characteristic to form characteristic <b>128</b> for person <b>114</b> from the group of features <b>124</b> identified in image <b>126</b>.

0071As another example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may form hypothesis <b>212</b> that person <b>114</b> had worked for Company X. Hypothesis <b>212</b> may be verified by characteristic identifier <b>202</b> accessing source <b>214</b>. For example, characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may access another social network to which person <b>114</b> also belongs to in verifying whether person <b>114</b> had previously worked for Company X. When hypothesis <b>212</b> is verified, then characteristic <b>128</b> is finalized as being identified as a characteristic for person <b>114</b>.

0072In one illustrative example, the group of characteristics <b>132</b> identified by characteristic identifier <b>202</b> may be added to the profile page for person <b>114</b>. In this manner, the profile page for person <b>114</b> may be made more complete.

0073In another illustrative example, characteristics <b>132</b> may not be added to profile pages <b>104</b>. For example, person <b>114</b> may wish to have characteristic <b>128</b> identified from image <b>126</b> kept as private and not shown or made available to others.

0074With this situation, characteristic <b>128</b> may be stored in characteristic database <b>216</b>. In this example, characteristic database <b>216</b> may be used as a repository for characteristics used to facilitate networking <b>122</b> without adding those characteristics to profile pages <b>104</b>.

0075As depicted, match identifier <b>204</b> identifies a set of people <b>106</b> that have characteristic <b>128</b>. In other words, set of people <b>106</b> and person <b>114</b> all have characteristic <b>128</b>. This identification may be made by searching at least one of profile pages <b>104</b> or characteristic database <b>216</b> to determine whether any of people <b>106</b> have characteristic <b>128</b> in common with person <b>114</b>.

0076Based on identifying set of people <b>106</b>, match identifier <b>204</b> performs action <b>130</b>. In this manner, network facilitator <b>120</b> aides in facilitating networking <b>122</b> between people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b>.

0077The illustration of social network environment <b>100</b> and the different components in social network environment <b>100</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> are not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which an illustrative embodiment may be implemented. Other components in addition to or in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Some components may be unnecessary. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate some functional components. One or more of these blocks may be combined, divided, or combined and divided into different blocks when implemented in an illustrative embodiment.

0078For example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may be used to facilitate networking <b>122</b> between people <b>106</b>, organization <b>110</b>, and people in another organization. In yet another illustrative example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may be used to facilitate networking between people <b>106</b> when processing images for purposes other than profile pages <b>104</b>. For example, network facilitator <b>120</b> may process images for a company directory.

0079With reference next to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref>, illustrations of images including features are depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. These figures are examples of different types of images that may be processed by feature identifier <b>200</b> in network facilitator <b>120</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> to identify a group of features <b>124</b>. The features identified in these images may be used to identify characteristics for a person. The identified characteristics may then be used to facilitate networking between people <b>106</b> in social network <b>102</b>.

0080With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, an illustration of an image in the form of a profile picture is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this figure, image <b>300</b> takes the form of profile picture <b>302</b>. In this example, profile picture <b>302</b> is a photograph of face <b>306</b> of person <b>308</b> wearing cap <b>310</b> with logo <b>312</b> for College X. Person <b>308</b> in image <b>300</b> is the person for whom the characteristic is identified in this depicted example.

0081As illustrated, face <b>306</b>, person <b>308</b>, cap <b>310</b>, and logo <b>312</b> are features in image <b>300</b>. These features are examples of features that may be identified by feature identifier <b>200</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0082As depicted, logo <b>312</b> is used to identify a characteristic for the person. In particular, a hypothesis is generated that person <b>308</b> attended College X. In the illustrative example, this hypothesis for the characteristic may be verified to form a characteristic for person <b>304</b>. For example, college databases, alumni databases, or other sources may be accessed to determine whether person <b>304</b> attended College X to verify that the hypothesis is correct for the characteristic that person <b>308</b> attended College X.

0083In this illustrative example, if the hypothesis is incorrect, then another hypothesis may be formed. The second hypothesis may be, for example, that the person is a fan of College X.

0084With reference now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, an illustration of an image in the form of a profile picture is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, image <b>400</b> is logo <b>402</b> for sports team Y. Logo <b>402</b> is a feature identified in image <b>400</b>. A hypothesis may be generated that the person is a fan of sports team Y. In this illustrative example, a verification of the hypothesis for the characteristic is made by sending a message to the person asking whether the person is a fan of sports team Y.

0085With reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, an illustration of an image in the form of a background picture is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, image <b>500</b> is background picture <b>502</b>. As depicted, image <b>500</b> is a picture of soccer team <b>504</b>.

0086Person <b>506</b> is in soccer team <b>504</b> in image <b>500</b>. As depicted, person <b>506</b> in image <b>500</b> is the person for which characteristics are identified.

0087In this illustrative example, a hypothesis is formed in which person <b>506</b> is a member of soccer team <b>504</b>. The hypothesis for the characteristics in this example is that person <b>506</b> is a soccer player on soccer team <b>504</b> and has an interest in soccer.

0088The hypothesis that person <b>506</b> is a member of soccer team <b>504</b> is verified by accessing a source. For example, verification may be made by checking a database of rosters for soccer team <b>504</b>. The hypothesis that person <b>506</b> is a soccer fan may be assumed to be correct. If person <b>506</b> is not a member of soccer team <b>504</b>, the verification of the second hypothesis may be made by sending a message to the person.

0089Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, an illustration of an image in the form of a background picture is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. In this example, image <b>600</b> is background image <b>602</b>. Image <b>600</b> includes university building <b>604</b> for University Z as a feature.

0090The identification of university building <b>604</b> may be used to form a hypothesis that the person attended University Z. This hypothesis may be verified by accessing a source such as an alumni database. A current student database may be accessed if the person currently attends University Z.

0091The illustrations of images in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-6</figref> are only meant as examples of some images that may be processed for identifying features from which characteristics may be identified. In other illustrative examples, other images may be analyzed. The images may be images other than profile pictures or background pictures. For example, the images analyzed to identify features for identifying characteristics may be pictures uploaded for an album for the person.

0092Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for facilitating networking in a social network is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> may be implemented in social network environment <b>100</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. In particular, the process may be implemented in network facilitator <b>120</b> in social network environment <b>100</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0093The process begins by identifying a group of features in an image for a person in a social network (step <b>700</b>). The process identifies a characteristic for networking from the group of features (step <b>702</b>).

0094The process identifies a set of people in the social network having the characteristic (step <b>704</b>). The process performs an action (step <b>706</b>), with the process terminating thereafter. In this manner, the process enables networking in the social network with respect to the person and the set of people in the social network having the characteristic.

0095Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for identifying features in an image is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> may be implemented in feature identifier <b>200</b> in network facilitator <b>120</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0096The process begins by selecting an image for analysis (step <b>800</b>). Next, the process identifies features in the image (step <b>802</b>).

0097A determination is then made as to whether an additional image is present for processing (step <b>804</b>). If an additional image is present, the process returns to operation that <b>800</b>. Otherwise, the process terminates.

0098Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for identifying characteristics from features is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> may be implemented in characteristic identifier <b>202</b> in network facilitator <b>120</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0099The process begins by selecting a group of features identified in an image (step <b>900</b>). The group of features selected in step <b>900</b> may be some or all of the features identified in the image. The process then analyzes the group of features selected (step <b>902</b>). In step <b>902</b>, the feature may be identified.

0100For example, whether the group of features includes at least one of a logo, a person, a building, or some other type of feature may be identified in step <b>902</b>. Additionally, color schemes and other information also may be identified for the features selected for analysis.

0101The process identifies a hypothesis for a characteristic based on an analysis of the group of features (step <b>904</b>). The hypothesis for the characteristic is verified using a source (step <b>906</b>). The verification may be made by accessing a source such as a database, a network, an online directory, or other sources of information. In still other illustrative examples, the verification may be made by sending a request for verification to a person with knowledge of the particular characteristic.

0102A determination is made as to whether the characteristic has been verified (step <b>908</b>). If the characteristic has been verified, the process terminates. Otherwise, another hypothesis is generated (step <b>910</b>), with the process then returning to step <b>906</b>.

0103Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, an illustration of a flowchart of a process for identifying characteristics from features is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The process illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> may be implemented in match identifier <b>204</b> in network facilitator <b>120</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

0104The process begins by selecting a characteristic for a person (step <b>1000</b>). The process then searches for other people with the characteristic to form a set of people having the characteristic (step <b>1002</b>).

0105A determination is then made as to whether another characteristic is present for the person (step <b>1004</b>). If another characteristic is present, the process returns to step <b>1000</b>. Otherwise, the process terminates.

0106The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodiments illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of some possible implementations of apparatuses and methods in an illustrative embodiment. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent at least one of a module, a segment, a function, or a portion of an operation or step. For example, one or more of the blocks may be implemented as program code, in hardware, or a combination of the program code and hardware. When implemented in hardware, the hardware may, for example, take the form of integrated circuits that are manufactured or configured to perform one or more operations in the flowcharts or block diagrams. When implemented as a combination of program code and hardware, the implementation may take the form of firmware.

0107In some alternative implementations of an illustrative embodiment, the function or functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown in succession may be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition to the illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram.

0108For example, step <b>908</b> and step <b>910</b> may be omitted. In some illustrative examples. In another example, the flowchart in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> may be implemented to search for multiple characteristics instead of a single characteristic. In another example, step <b>910</b> may be omitted such that another hypothesis for the feature is not generated if the hypothesis for the characteristic is not verified.

0109Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, an illustration of a block diagram of a data processing system is depicted in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Data processing system <b>1100</b> may be used to implement one or more computers in computer system <b>123</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. In this illustrative example, data processing system <b>1100</b> includes communications framework <b>1102</b>, which provides communications between processor unit <b>1104</b>, memory <b>1106</b>, persistent storage <b>1108</b>, communications unit <b>1110</b>, input/output (I/O) unit <b>1112</b>, and display <b>1114</b>. In this example, communications framework <b>1102</b> may take the form of a bus system.

0110Processor unit <b>1104</b> serves to execute instructions for software that may be loaded into memory <b>1106</b>. Processor unit <b>1104</b> may be a number of processors, a multi-processor core, or some other type of processor, depending on the particular implementation.

0111Memory <b>1106</b> and persistent storage <b>1108</b> are examples of storage devices <b>1116</b>. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable of storing information, such as, for example, without limitation, at least one of data, program code in functional form, or other suitable information either on a temporary basis, a permanent basis, or both on a temporary basis and a permanent basis. Storage devices <b>1116</b> may also be referred to as computer readable storage devices in these illustrative examples. Memory <b>1106</b>, in these examples, may be, for example, a random access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device. Persistent storage <b>1108</b> may take various forms, depending on the particular implementation.

0112For example, persistent storage <b>1108</b> may contain one or more components or devices. For example, persistent storage <b>1108</b> may be a hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage <b>1108</b> also may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage <b>1108</b>.

0113Communications unit <b>1110</b>, in these illustrative examples, provides for communications with other data processing systems or devices. In these illustrative examples, communications unit <b>1110</b> is a network interface card.

0114Input/output unit <b>1112</b> allows for input and output of data with other devices that may be connected to data processing system <b>1100</b>. For example, input/output unit <b>1112</b> may provide a connection for user input through at least of a keyboard, a mouse, or some other suitable input device. Further, input/output unit <b>1112</b> may send output to a printer. Display <b>1114</b> provides a mechanism to display information to a user.

0115Instructions for at least one of the operating system, applications, or programs may be located in storage devices <b>1116</b>, which are in communication with processor unit <b>1104</b> through communications framework <b>1102</b>. The processes of the different embodiments may be performed by processor unit <b>1104</b> using computer-implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory, such as memory <b>1106</b>.

0116These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usable program code, or computer readable program code that may be read and executed by a processor in processor unit <b>1104</b>. The program code in the different embodiments may be embodied on different physical or computer readable storage media, such as memory <b>1106</b> or persistent storage <b>1108</b>.

0117Program code <b>1118</b> is located in a functional form on computer readable media <b>1120</b> that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto or transferred to data processing system <b>1100</b> for execution by processor unit <b>1104</b>. Program code <b>1118</b> and computer readable media <b>1120</b> form computer program product <b>1122</b> in these illustrative examples. In one example, computer readable media <b>1120</b> may be computer readable storage media <b>1124</b> or computer readable signal media <b>1126</b>.

0118In these illustrative examples, computer readable storage media <b>1124</b> is a physical or tangible storage device used to store program code <b>1118</b> rather than a medium that propagates or transmits program code <b>1118</b>. Alternatively, program code <b>1118</b> may be transferred to data processing system <b>1100</b> using computer readable signal media <b>1126</b>. Computer readable signal media <b>1126</b> may be, for example, a propagated data signal containing program code <b>1118</b>. For example, computer readable signal media <b>1126</b> may be at least one of an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, or any other suitable type of signal. These signals may be transmitted over at least one of communications links, such as wireless communications links, optical fiber cable, coaxial cable, a wire, or any other suitable type of communications link.

0119The different components illustrated for data processing system <b>1100</b> are not meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. The different illustrative embodiments may be implemented in a data processing system including components in addition to or in place of those illustrated for data processing system <b>1100</b>. Other components shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> can be varied from the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may be implemented using any hardware device or system capable of running program code <b>1118</b>.

0120Thus, the illustrative examples provide a method and apparatus for facilitating networking in a social network. In particular, in illustrative examples, may be used to overcome the technical problem of insufficient information in a profile of a person in a social network in which the insufficient information reduces the ability to establish contacts in the social network.

0121A network facilitator in a computer system uses images to identify characteristics from features in an image. These characteristics may be used to match up people in a social network. An action may be taken with respect to people with the same characteristics. These actions may have a technical effect of facilitating networking. In this manner, newer members of an organization may meet other members of the organization that have the same characteristics. This type of networking may facilitate the integration of newer members in organizations as well as making current organizations more cohesive.

0122The description of the different illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. The different illustrative examples describe components that perform actions or operations. In an illustrative embodiment, a component may be configured to perform the action or operation described. For example, the component may have a configuration or design for a structure that provides the component an ability to perform the action or operation that is described in the illustrative examples as being performed by the component.

0123Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrative embodiments may provide different features as compared to other desirable embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.